Finishing machine with controlled return of finishing media



G. W. BALZ Jan. 15, 1963 FINISHING MACHINE WITH CONTROLLED RETURN OFFINISHING MEDIA Filed Feb. 21, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. -yawn/1?PM 5442 BY WWW ATTORNEY G. W. BALZ Jan. 15, 1963 FINISHING MACHINE WITHCONTROLLED RETURN OF FINISHING MEDIA File l Feb. 21, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet2 INVENTOR. 61/77/5/3 14/. 5442 ATTOR/VEA F\GURE 4 United States Patent3,073,069 FINISHING MACHINE WITH CONTROLLED RETURN OF FINISHING MEDIAGunther W. 3232, Kalamazoo, MiclL, assignor to Roto- Finish Company,Kalamazoo, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed Feb. 21, 1962, Ser. No.174,836 17 Claims. (Cl. 51-7) The present invention relates to finishingmachines and is more particularly concerned with a finishing machine,wherein the surfaces of secured or fixtured parts may be finished by theapplication of alternating waves of energy to finishing media in contacttherewith, having means for controlled return of finishing media to anabrading chamber thereof. This application is a continuation-in-part ofmy prior-filed copending applications Serial No. 102,018, filed April10, 1961, and 142,701, filed October 3, 1961.

The practice of finishing parts by vibrating together with any one ormore of various finishing media is now well established in the art.Certain types of finishing operations require that the part or partsbeing finished,

for maximum or optimum results, be secured or fixtured' rather thanrandomly vibrated in contact with abrading materials. This may be due tosize of the part, frangibility of the part, or other considerations. Incertain existing finishing machines, therefore, a rack is provided fordetachably mounting the part or parts to be finished in an abradingchamber. After the part is suspended, finishing media is introduced intothe chamber and employed for the finishing operation. If the finishingmaterial is present in the abrading chamber prior to suspending theunfinished part therein, difiiculties are encountered in displacing thefinishing material, i.e., it must be pushed aside or removed andreplaced so as to allow introduction of the part or parts. Thesedifiiculties are magnified as the size and complexity of the part orparts increase.

In the past, such diificulties have been eliminated by suspending theunfinished part or parts in the abrading chamber before insertingfinishing material thereinto.

Essentially, this requires removal of finishing material from theabrading chamber upon completion of each abrading cycle. The finishingmaterial may, for example, be discharged into a hopper and, afteranother unfinished part is suspended in the abrading chamber, the hopperlifted by an overhead crane and tipped to discharge the finishingmaterial into the abrading chamber. Unfortunately, in many plants, acrane is not always readily available, and much time is thus wasted. ahoist is specifically provided for lifting and tipping of such a hopper,but such special equipment and/or labor is expensive and undulyincreases the cost of operation.

When smaller parts are mounted to a rack, the difficulties of insertingthe parts in the finishing medium may sometimes be partially avoided byindependently vibrating the rack. If the parts are frangible, however,care must be exercised to avoid fracture thereof. In general. allprevious methods and means of coping with the problem have been equallyunsatisfactory.

It would be desirable to have available a finishing device whereby theproblem of intermittent removal and replacement of finishing materialcould be avoided, as by con-' trol of the return of finishing materialfrom a storage chamber to the abrading chamber until the unfinished partor parts have been suspended in the abrading chamber. This type offinishing machine would have an advantage over prior machines in that nofinishing media would have to be displaced or removed in inserting thepart to be finished and in that no crane or hoist would be necessary forremoval and replacement of the finishing material. Moreover, independentvibratory motors se- In some plants,

ice

cured to the rack for facilitating insertion of small parts into thefinishing medium would be eliminated. After the unfinished'part or partswere suspended in the abrading chamber, it would only be necessary tostart the machine, whereupon the finishing material in the storagechamber would'be transferred to the abrading chamber. Such a finishingmachine would obviouslyeliminate expensive capital equipment and reducethe cost of labor and time involved in the surface finishing of fixturedor mounted parts.

The present invention is, therefore, primarily concerned with afinishing machine in which one or more unfinished parts may be suspendedin an abrading chamber and finished without any of the problems usuallyassociated with displacement of finishing media or loading and unloadingof finishing material into and out of the machine.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved finishing machine having means for controlled returned offinishing material to the abrading chamber thereof and whereby certaindisadvantages of prior machines areavoided.

Another object is to provide a finishing machine in which the finishingmaterial fiows back into the abrading chamber when the machine isenergized for abrading, but not before.

It is another object to provide a finishing machine embodying a closuremember 'for preventing finishing material from returning to the abradingchamber while one or more unfinished parts are being suspended therein.

A further object is to provide a finishing machine in which the operatorcan mount a rack supporting an unfinished part or parts for finishingwithout interference from finishing material retained in said finishingmachine.

It is a still further object to provide an improved finishing machine inwhich the housing may be rotated or vibrated for redepositing finishingmaterial in the abrading chamber after an unfinished part or parts aresuspended therein.

Still another object resides in provision of an improved finishingmachine wherein friction between the finishing media and the inclinedwall of a storage chamber therefor prevents the finishing media fromflowing into the abrading chamber until the machine is energized,whereupon vibrations impa-rted to the storage chamber move the mass offinishing material into the abrading chamber.

An additional object resides in provision of such an improved finishingmachine which embodies means for controlled return of finishing materialto the abrading chamber thereof as a part of a normal abrading cycle.

Additional objects and advantages will be apparent to one skilled in theart and still other advantages will become apparent hereinafter.

' To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the presentinvention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims, the following descriptionsetting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of theinvention, being indicative, however, of but several of the ways inwhich the principles of the invention may be employed.

The presentinvention, then, broadly comprises a finishing machine withmeans for controlled return of finishing media, which is of particularvalue in finishing the surfaces of a large unfinished part or aplurality of smaller parts which are suspended in an abrading chamber ofthe finishing machine, as by a rack.

In the device of the present invention, a storage chamber or compartmentis integrally secured to the abrading chamber, and both chambers arerotatable as a unit from one position to another for transferringfinishing material from one chamber to the other. To prevent the flow offinishing material from the storage chamber into the abrading chamberuntil the unfinished part or parts are 3 suspended therein a novelcombination of parts is employed. Tothis end, the storage chamber isselectively oriented with respect to the abrading chamber oralternatively, retainer means are associated with the storage chamber.When the finishing machine is energized for finishing, vibrationsdeveloped by a vibratory motor operatively associated therewith forfinishing purposes also imparts motionito finishing material in thestorage chamber-and effects flow thereof into the abrading chamber.Alternatively, the storage chamber and the abrading chamber'are rotatedthrough an angle to effect flow of finishing material into theabraclingchamber with the assistance of gravity as well as thevibrations imparted thereto, or the retainer meansis opened to allowflow of finishing mate rial from the storage chamber into the abradingchamber. In any event, the fin'ishingmaterial' does not return- .totheabrading compartment until its presence is there desired. During theremainder of the finishing cycle, the

vibratory motor continues to impart vibrations to the finishingmaterial, and to the unfinished part or parts as well when the racksupporting the part or parts is secured to the abrading chamber. At theend of the finishing cycle, the storage and ab'rading chambers areangularly rotated as a unit, usually before the part is removed andfrequently before vibrations are discontinued, from an abrading positionto a transfer position for purposes of transferring finishing materialfrom theabrading chamber to the storage chamber and shaking finishingmaterial from the mounted part. When the unit is rotated back to theabradingposition, due to the construction of the device, the finishingmaterial does not flow back into the abrading chamber but rather remainsin the storage chamtical frame members 15 and 17, and 16 and 18,respectively. To support rotary mechanism 40, cross member 25 is weldedto the top portions of vertical frame members 26 and 21. .Each of thevertical frame members and cross members comprises a pair o'fchanneliron beams welded together. The securing together of the base plate 12,the rails 13 and 14, vertical frame members 15, 16, 17, 18, 2 0 and 21,and'the cross members 23, 24 and 25 by welding or other suitable means,completes the stationary portion of frame 11.

As shown in FIGURE 1, a plurality of coiled helical springs 26 areemployed for isolating the orbital vibrations of the housing 60 fromframe 11. Springs 26 are suitably disposed between lower cross member 23and upper cross member 27, and between lower cross member 24 and uppercross member 28. Suitable cup-shaped members 29 are secured to the topsides of lower cross members 23 I and 24 and to the bottom sides ofupper cross-members ber... The finished part or parts may then'beremoved from the abrading chamber and another part or'parts suspendedtherein, prior to return of finishing mediaand commencement of asubsequent finishing cycle.

For'a better, understanding of the present invention, reference may behad to the accompanying drawings in .whicliall theparts are numbered andthe same numbers are used torefer to corresponding parts throughout, andwherein: i r y FIGURE l-is an isometric view of a finishing machineembodying the presentfinve'ntion;

W FIGURE 2 is a vertical section taken on line lI-II of FIGURE l.to showin detail the construction of the storage and abrading chambers;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section similar to FIGURE 2 showing anotherembodiment of the present invention;

. FIGURE v4 is a .front elevational view. showing still anotherembodiment of the present invention; and

FIGURE 5 is a vertical section taken on line V-V of FIGURE 4.

7 by frame 11.

Considering first frame 11, and specifically the stationary portionthereof, a base plate 12 is mounted on a supporting surface and providedwith a pair of I-beams or 27 and 28 for supporting the coiled helicalsprings 26. Various other types of resilient members may be employed forisolating the vibrations of housing 60 from frame 11. In the illustratedarrangement, the housing is resiliently supported by a plurality ofcoiled helical springs and thereby supported for substantial freemovement in space.

For rotatably supporting the housing 60, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, apair of spindles 30 and 31 or shaft ends are secured to housing 60. Morespecifically, cylindrical members 32 are secured to end plates 33 and 34of the housing by suitable means, and the spindles 30 and 31aresuitably'secured to cylindrical members 32. Spindles 30 and 31 arejournaled in bearings 35 secured in bearing support members-36 which aresuitably mounted to upper cross members 27 and 28.

Considering in more detail the rotary mechanism, generally designated at40 in FIGURE 1, it comprises suitable means for angularly rotating orrepositioning the housing, such as a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 41.The connections to cylinder 41 are not shown since they areconventional. The lower end of cylinder 41 is appropriately secured bypin 43 to tab 44 rigidly secured to the inner side of vertical framemember 20. Extending from the upper end of the cylinder is a piston rod45 having its outer, end secured to lug 46 which is pivotally securedto' one end of crank arm 47 by pin 48. The other end of crank arm 47 isrigidly secured to shaft 49 by means of key 50. Shaft 49 is journaled ina pair of bearings 51 secured in bearing support members 52 which rails13 and 14 welded thereto in spaced parallel relation- I ship.Vertical'frame members 15, 16 (not shown), 17 and 18 are welded at theirrespective end portions to base plate 12, and to rails 13 and 14. Morespecifically, the

7 lower portions of frame members 15 and 16 are welded to rail 13, andthe lower portions of frame members 17 and 18 are welded to rail 14. Twoadditionalvertical members 2% and 21 are welded at their lower endportions are mounted in spaced parallel relationship on the top of crossmember 25. A slot 55 is provided in cross member 25 intermediate thebearing support members so that crank arm 47-disposed in slot 55 mayfreely rotate through an angle therein. A flexible coupling 59 connectsshafts 31 and 43 in order to isolate the vibrations of the housing fromthe rotary mechanism 40.

The cylinder 41 for rotating the housing 60 can be energizedelectrically by a conventional not shown elec-' trical control panel, orthe cylinder can be operated manually. When cylinder 41 is energized,the piston rod 45 is forced outwardly to rotate crank arm 47 whichrotates shaft 49, coupling 59, and spindle 31, thereby rotating thehousing from one position to another. The cylinder is operated inreverse for rotating the housing back to its original position.

A vibration generating means, such as a vibratory motor 56 is fixedlysecured to housing 60 by means of a motor mounting bracket 57 andsuitable bolts and nuts; The connections to the vibratory motor 56 arenot shown since they are conventional. The motor may comprise any powermeans including an electric as well as a fluid motor. For example, themotor may be of the rotary type, the vibratory type, the hydraulic orpneumatic type, or a prime mover. If the motor is of the rotatory type,conventional eccentric weights are mounted to the shaft for generatingorbital vibrations which are imparted to the housing 60. Greatestefliciency of the orbital vibrations is achieved by disposing thevibratory motor 56 with respect to the housing so each alternating waveof energy moves the mass of finishing material therein in asubstantially orbital motion normal to the rotational axis of thehousing 60 or normal to a longitudinal axis of the housing. Satisfactoryorbital vibrations may also be imparted to the housing so long as amajor component of each alternating wave of energy is normal to thelongitudinal axis thereof.

By imparting orbital vibrations to the housing, the mass of finishingmaterial surrounding a large unfinished part or smaller parts suspendedin an abrading chamber of the housing moves in an orbital motion fromthe front to the rear thereof or vice versa. These orbital vibrations oralternating waves of energy substantially increase the action betweenthe finishing material and the surface of the part to be finished, muchmore than if the finishing material and parts were tumbled. Moreover,.as will be discussed further, the same alternating waves of energy areemployed in accordance with one form of the invention for'moving orshaking finishing material from the storage chamber into the abradingchamber.

Preferably and as illustrated in FIGURE 2, the housing 60 comprises anabrading chamber 61 and a storage chamber 71 partially opposed thereto.The abrading chamber 61 is defined by a semi-cylindrical bottom 62,portions'of end plates 33 and 34, and forward and rear walls 63 and 64extending upwardly which are extensions of the semi-cylindrical bottom62. The end plates 33 and 34 are secured to the sides ofsemi-cylindrical bottom 62 and walls 63 and 64.by welding orthe like.

The storage chamber 71 is also provided with a semi- I cylindrical top72, portions of end plates 33 and 34, and

forward and rear walls 73 and 74 which are extensions of v thesemi-cylindrical top 72. The sides of semi-cylindrical top 72 and walls73 and 74 are also secured by welding or the like to the end plates.Rear walls 64 and 74 are suitably secured together at their juncture 65.

An opening 75 having a detachable cover plate 76 secured thereover isoptionally provided in the central top portion of the semi-cylindricaltop 72 for removing finishing material from the storage chamber when thehousing is rotated to the transfer position. A foramiuous member 77 isoptionally disposed in the cover plate 76 for removing fines, scraps, orburrs from finishing material by selective passage therethrough when thehousing is rotated to or in the transfer position.

In one of the preferred forms of the invention, as shown in FIGURE 2,when the housing is in the abrading position of rotation, the angle ofupwardly inclined rear wall 74 of storage chamber 71 with respect to ahorizontal plane is critical. When the upward inclination of wall 74 issmall, the mass of finishing material disposed in the storage chamber 71will not flow into the abrading chamber since static friction betweenthe mass of finishing material and the inner surface of wall 74overcomes the gravitational force and static equilibrium thereof ismaintained.

The maximum angle of inclination between the wall 74 and the horizontalplane, at which slipping impends, has been found to be about forty-fivedegrees for most materials and is called the angle of repose. If thewall forms a greater angle with the horizontal plane, the finishingmaterial will slide down wall 74 into abrading chamber 61 by the forceof gravity alone. Since the angle of repose represents the angle ofinclination for impending slipping, finishing material disposed on theinner surface of wall 74 inclined at any greater angle will slide down,whereas finishing material disposed on the inner surface of wall 74inclined at any smaller angle will remain at rest unless acted upon asby vibrations of the motor 56.

It is known that the laws of friction for lubricated surfaces differfrom those for dry surfaces. For instance, friction is practicallyindependent of the nature of the surfaces and of the normal pressure aslong as a film of lubricant lies between the surfaces. Temperature alsoeffects friction, even between lubricated surfaces. It is obvious,therefore, that the angle of repose is not only dependent upon thecoefficient of friction between the mass of finishing material and thesurface of the wall 74 and upon the coeificient of friction between thevarious chips of finishing material itself, but also upon thetemperature and moisture or fluid content of the finishing material.The'inner surface of wall 74 of storage chamber 71, which is in contactwith the finishing material, may also be roughened or lined with amaterial or coating 75 so as to provide a higher coefficient of frictionwith regard to the finishing material for increasing the angle ofrepose.

Depending upon the exact operating conditions and materials finishedand/or employed as finishing media, the wall 74 may be inclined at anangle from only a few degrees to about 45 degrees with respect to thehorizontal plane. An angle of about 30 degrees appears optimum for mostpurposes. However, smaller angles are frequently employed, as whenstorage of larger amounts of finishing material in the storage chamber,while the housing 60 is in the abrading position (as shown in FIGURE 2of the drawings), is desired.

When the unfinished part or parts 80 are suitably mounted in theabrading chamber 6.1, as by rack 81, the vibratory motor 56 is energizedand the alternating waves of energy thus imparted to wall 74 of thestorage chamber 71 move the mass of finishing material down wall 74toward the opening of the storage chamber and into abrading chamber 61.In essence. the vibratory motor shakes the mass of finishing materialfrom the storage chamber 71 into the abrading chamber. Moreover, asmotion is imparted to the mass of finishing material in the storagechamber, the friction between the mass and the inner surface of the wall74 decreases somewhat since kinetic friction is generally less thanstatic friction. Thus the finishing material rapidly slides down theinner surface of wall 74 and is thus transferred back into abradingchamber 61.

With this arrangement, the finishing cycle may begin as soon as theunfinished part or parts are suspended in the abrading chamber withoutinconvenience and without employment of additional capital equipment forre moving and then redepositing the finishing material in the abradingchamber between finishing cycles. It is apparent that the vibratorymotor 56 and the angle of the rear Wall 74 control the return offinishing material to the abrading chamber.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 3, the housing 165 is of the samegeneral construction as described. for the embodiments of FIGURES 1 and2. In this embodiment, however, storage chamber 171 is orientated withrespect to abrading chamber 161 so.rear Wall 174 of the storage chamber171 is inclined downwardly from the horizontal plane when the housing isin the abrading position. In other words, the major plane of wall 174forms an angle of less than degrees with a plane substantially bisectingthe abrading chamber. In such embodiment the storage chamber may besmaller than the storage chamber shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawings andstill retain the same amount of finishing material. After the unfinishedpart or parts 180 are mounted in abrading chamber 161, the finishingcycle may begin upon energizing vibratory motor 156, and bysimultaneously rotating the housing through a clockwise angle as viewedin FIGURE 3. The angle of rotation may be sufiicient to cause dumping ofall the finishing material into the abrading chamber 161 by the force ofgravity or, alternatively, the housing can be rotated until the wall 174is upwardly inclined only a few degrees above the horizontal plane,whereupon alternating waves of energy imparted by the vibratory motor156 may be utilized to move the mass of finishing material into abradingchamber 16L After a predetermined period during which all of thefinishing material has been redeposited in the abrading chamber, thehousing 160 may berotatedback to the abrading position as shown inFIGURE 3 of the drawings, and left in such position until the surfacesof the unfinished part or parts have the desired finish. When thefinishing cycle is completeythe housing 160 isrotated to the transferposition, and the finishing material in abrading chamber 161 is againtransferred into storage chamber 171. The housing 160 is then rotatedback to the abrading position, finished part or parts 180 removed fromthe abrading chamber 161, and another unfinished part or parts suspendedin the abrading chamber for repeating the cycle.

With the embodiment shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, the rear wall.174 can and may optionally be positioned so as to be downwardlyinclined, i.e., to form a greater anglewith the horizontal plane, by notrotating' the housing 160 completely back to the abrading position. Thatis, after the finishing material has been transferred to the storagechamber, the housing may be rotated to an intermediatepositionsufiicient-to preclude the fiow'of finishing material into the abradingchamber but still sufficient to enable an operator to remove'the partorparts therefrom.

The embodiment shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 is of the same generalconstruction as described for the embodiment of FIGURES l and 2. In thisembodiment, however, a bafile 285 is disposed in the storage chamber 271of the housing 260 for preventing return of finished material to theabrading chamber 261 when the housing is in abrading position. Usually-such finishing material contains-or is mixed with a fluid or dry.chemical reagent necessary or desirable for finishing the surface ofunfinished parts. When housing 260 is rotated to the transfer position,the finishing material flows over the end of baffle 285 and into storagechamber 271. A gate, door,

or the like serves as a closure member286 and is disposed over opening287 provided in bafiie 285 for preventing the finishing material fromflowing back to the abrading chamber upon return of the housing toabrading position. A solenoid 288'mounted to the housing 260 is employedfor opening and closing the closure member 286.. The electricalconnections from the solenoid to a conventional control panel are notshown since they are well known in the art- An armature 289 of thesolenoid 238 isconnected to one end of a lever arm 2% pivoted at fulcrum291. The other end of the lever arm 2% is connected to a' tongue 292extending from the closure member 286. A spring 293 biases member286 inthe closedposition when the solenoid is not'energized. Risers 294 and 2%are disposed in the storage chamber for directing finishing materialinto opening 287.

After an unfinished part 230 i suspended in abrading chamber 261,the'finishing cycle is started by energizing the vibratory motor.Simultaneously, the solenoid 288 is energizedto' move the closure member286 away from opening 287. Finishing material then flows from storagechamber 271 into abrading chamber 261 by the force of gravity. and'thealternating waves of energy imparted thereto by the vibratory motor. Thesolenoid 288 may be deenergized after a predetermined period forreturning the closure member 287'to its initial biased position, or thesolenoid 288 may be deenergized just prior to rotation of housing 260 tothe transfer position for transferring the finishing material from theabrading chamber 261 into the storage chamber 271. Alternatively, theclosure member236 can be manually or otherwise actuated.

In operation, one or more parts to be finished are detachably secured toa rack for supporting the parts in the abrading chamber. The rack may bedetachably mounted to the housing or to the walls of the abradingchamber, or therack may be mounted independently of the housing,

e.g., to a frame secured to a supporting surface so the part or parts tobe finished are suspended in the abrading chamber Without beingsupported by the housing. Initially, the finishing material is emptiedfromsuitable con tainers and deposited into the abrading chamber. Thevibratory motor is then energized for imparting alternating Waves ofenergy to the housing for moving the finishing media in a substantiallyorbital motion, which action finishes the surfaces of the unfinishedpart'or parts. If the rack is mounted to the housing, the unfinishedpart secured thereto also moves in an orbital motion.

After the surface of the part is finished, the vibratory motor maybe.deenergized,and theparts' rack or finished part first removed fromthe abrading chamber. This is necessary in case the part is mountedindependently of the housing. Where not independentlymounted, thetransfer of finishing material may be eifected first and the part orrack then detached. In either event, the manually or automaticallyenergized rotary mechanism rotates the housing from the abradingposition to the transfer position for transferring the finishingmaterial from the abrading chamber to the storage chamber. The vibratorymotor is preferably energized'during' the transfer to shake all of thefinishing material out of the finishedpart and assist rapid emptying offinishing material from the abrading chamber. If a baffle is interposedbetween theabrading chamber and the storage chamber, the finishingmaterial flows over the end of the baffle and into the storage chamberduring transfer.

When transfer of finishing material into the storage chamber iscomplete, the vibratory motor is deenergized 4 and the rotary mechanismmanually or automatically energized in reverse to rotate the housing,generally back to the abrading position. The mass'of finishing material7 remains in the storage chamber'du'e to the friction between v(SeeFIGURE 3),

the mass and the inner surfaces ofthe upwardly inclined rearwall of thestorage chamben or due to the orientation of the storage chamber withrespect to the abrading chamber where the rear wall is downwardlyinclined from the horizontal plane, or due to thebaflle interposedbetween the storage chamber and the abrading chamber. The rack andattached finished part or parts are then removed from the housing, ifthis has not been effected prior to rotation of the housing, and anotherrackwith another unfinished part or parts secured thereto is located inthe abrading chamber. No difiiculties are encountered in positioning thepart in the abrading chamber since all or most all of the finishingmaterial is still in the storage chamber. In any event, the necessaryamount for avoidance ofany problem is transferred to the storagechamber.

The vibratory motor is then energized and the alternating waves ofenergy imparted to the housing, including the abrading chamber and therear wall of the storage chamber, move the mass of finishing materialdown the rear wall of the storage chamber and into the abrading chamberwhere the finishing material moves in substantially orbital motion forfinishing the surface-of the unfinished part or parts suspended therein.The vibrations effectively shake the finishing material down the rearwall of the storage chamber into the abrading chamber.

If the storage chamber is so oriented with respect to the abradingchamber, when the housing is generally in the abrading position, thatthe rear wall of the storage chamber is inclined downwardly from thehorizontal plane the housing is rotated forwardly through a small angle,that is, in a direction opposite to the direction for transfer offinishing material into the storage chamber. Simultaneously thevibratory motor is energized for redepositing finishing material in theabrading chamber. When all of the finishing material is in the abradingchamber, the housing may be rotated back to the abrading position.

In the embodiment comprising a baffie for preventing return of finishingmaterial to the abrading chamber, the.

the abrading chamber. When a solenoid is employed to effect thismovement, it is preferred that the solenoid be energized simultaneouslywith the vibratory motor for automatic operation of the finishingmachine. The 010 sure member may also be manually operated. The closuremember may moreover be pivotally mounted, or movably mounted as in aguillotine type of closure. Further, baffie itself may be moved orpivoted from either or both ends to allow the finishing material to flowback into the abrading chamber, if desired.

It is seen that a novel finishing machine is thus pro-- vided for thefinishing of secured or fixtured metal,

plastic, wood, or like parts, which enables the controlled transfer offinishing material used in the operation into and out of the abradingchamber thereof and which thereby eliminates many of theproblemspreviously attendant upon the finishing of such type parts.

It is to be understood that the term finishing material is usedgenerically herein to designate materials used to impart all types offinishes including those finishes acquired with abrading material aswell as with polishing material and that polishing is as usual onespecies of finishing.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present inventionmay be embodied in other specific forms without departing from thespirit or essential attributes thereof. It is, therefore, desired andintended that the several embodiments herein specifically set forth beconsidered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive,reference being made to the appended claims rather than the foregoingdescription and drawings to indicate the scope of the invention, whichis to be understood as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A finishing machine for finishing the surface of unfinished partscomprising an abrading chamber provided with an opening adapted toreceive finishing material and unfinished parts, a storage chambersecured to said abrading chamber and provided with an opening forreceiving finishing material from said abrading chamher, said storagechamber including a rear wall upwardly inclined with respect to ahorizontal plane at an angle between zero and forty-five degrees but notgreater than an angle of repose for maintaining static equilibrium offinishing material therein when said abrading chamber is in an abradingposition, vibratory means for imparting a vibratory motion to saidstorage chamber for transferring finishing material to said abradingchamber from said storage chamber and to said abrading chamber forfinishing unfinished parts therein, and means for rotating said chambersfrom the abrading position to a transfer position for transferringfinishing material from said abrading chamber to said storage chamber.

2. A finishing machine for finishing the surface of an unfinished partcomprising an abrading chamber provided with an opening adapted toreceive finishing material and the unfinished part, a storage chambersecured to said abrading chamber and provided with an opening forreceiving finishing material from said abrading chamber, a rear wall ofsaid storage chamber upwardly inclined with respect to a horizontalplane at an angle less than an angle of repose for controlling slidingof finishing material into said abrading chamber when said abradingchamber is in an abrading position, vibratory means for imparting avibratory motion to the rear wall of said storage chamber for shakingfinishing material into said abrading chamber and to said abradingchamber for finishing the surface of the unfinished part, and means forrotating said chambers for transfer of finishing material from saidabrading chamber to said storage chamber.

3. A finishing machine for finishing the surface of an unfinished partcomprising an abrading chamber provided with an opening adapted toreceive finishing material and the unfinished part, a storage chambersecured to said abrading chamber and provided with an opening forreceiving finishing material from said abrading chamber, a rear wall ofsaid storage chamber upwardly inclined with respect to a horizontalplane at an angle less than an angle of repose for'controlling slidingof finishing material into said abrading chamber when said abradingchamber is in an abrading position, means associated with the innersurface of said rear wall of said storage chamber for increasing thecoeflicient of friction as to the finishing material, vibratory meansfor imparting a vibratory motion to the rear wall of said storagechamber for shaking finishing material into said abrading chamber and tosaid abrading chamber for substantially finishing the surface of theunfinished part, and means for rotating said chambers for transfer offinishing material from said abrading chamber to said storage chamber.

4. In a finishing machine for finishing the surface of a relativelylarge unfinished part, the combination of an abrading chamber providedwith an opening adapted to receive finishing material, a rack mounted insaid abrading chamber for supporting the unfinished part therein, astorage chamber secured to said abrading chamber and provided with anopening for receiving finishing material from said abrading chamber andincluding a rear wall upwardly inclined with respect to a horizontalplane at an angle less than an angle of repose for controlling slidingof finishing material into said abrading chamber when said abradingchamber is in an abrading position, vibratory means for imparting avibratory motion to said rear wall of said storage chamber for shakingthe finishing material into said abrading chamber and to said abradingchamber for moving the finishing material in substantially orbitalmotion therein for finishing the surface of the unfinished part, andmeans driv- 'ingly connected to said chambers for rotation thereof fortransferring finishing material from said abrading chamber to saidstorage chamber.

5. In a finishing machine for finishing the surface of an unfinishedpart, the combination of an abrading chamber provided with an openingadapted to receive finishing material, a rack associated with saidabrading chamber for supporting the unfinished part therein, a storagechamber secured to said abrading chamber and provided with an openingfor receiving finishing material from said abrading chamber, an upwardlyinclined rear wall of said storage chamber disposed at an angle lessthan an angle of repose for maintaining static equilibrium of thefinishing material therein when said abrading chamber is in an abradingposition, means associated with the inner surface of the rear wall ofsaid storage chamber for increasing the coefficient of friction betweensaid wall and the finishing material, vibratory means for imparting avibratory motion to the rear wall of said storage chamber for shakingthe finishing material into said abrading chamber and to said abradingchamber for finishing the surface of the unfinished part, and meansdrivingly connected to said chambers for rotation thereof for transferof finishing material from said abrading chamber to said storagechamber.

6. A finishing machine comprising an abrading chamber provided with anopening adapted to receive finishing material, a storage chamber securedto said abrading chamber and provided with an opening adapted to receivefinishing material from said abrading chamber, said storage chamberincluding a rear wall having its major plane disposed at an angle ofless than ninety degrees to a plane substantially bisecting saidabrading chamber, vibratory means for imparting vibrations to saidabrading chamber for finishing the surface of an unfinished parttherein, and means for rotating said abrading chamber for transferringfinishing material from said abrading chamber to said storage chamberand from said storage chamber to said abrading chamber.

7. A finishing machine comprising an abrading chamber provided with anopening adapted to receive finishing material, a storage chamber securedto said abrading chamber and provided with an opening adapted to receivefinishing material from said abrading chamber, said storage chamberincluding a downwardly inclined rear Wall disposed atan angle of lessthan ninety degrees to a vertical plane when said abrading chamber is inabrading position, vibratory means for imparting alternating waves ofenergy to said abrading chamber for moving the finishing material in anorbital motion forfinishing the. surface of anunfinished part therein,and means for rotating said abrading chamber for transferring finishingmaterial from said abradingchamber to said storage chamber and from saidstorage chamber to said abrading chamber.

8. A finishing machine comprising an abrading chamber provided With anopening adapted to receive finishing.

material, a rack associated with said, abrading chamber for supportingan unfinished part therein, a storage chamher secured to said abradingchamber and provided with parting alternating waves of energy to saidabrading chamber for moving the finishing material in an orbital motionfor finishing the surface .of theunfinished part therein, and means. forrotating said abrading chamber for transferring finishing material fromsaid abrading chamber to said storage chamber and from said storagechamber to said abrading chamber.

9. In a finishing machine, the combination of a housing mountedforsubstantial free movement in space and for rotation ona substantiallyhorizontal axis, an abrading chamber in said housing provided with anopening for receiving finishing material and an unfinished part, astorage chamber in said housing provided with an opening for receivingfinishing'material from said abrading chamber, means for controlling thereturn of finishing material from said storage chamber to said abradingchamber, vi-

' bratory means for imparting vibrations to said housing for moving thefinishing material in said abrading chamber for finishing of a parttherein, and means operatively connected to said housing for rotationthereof from one position to another.

, -10. A finishing machine comprising a frame, a housing journaled forrotation on said frame about a substantially horizontal axis. androtatable to a transfer position and to an abrading position, anabrading chamber in said housing provided with an opening for'receivingfinishing material, means for suspending an unfinished part in saidabrading chamber, a storage chamber in said housing for storingfinishing material, means for controlling the return of finishingmaterial from said storage chamber to 'said abrading chamber, vibratorymeans for imparting vibrations to said housing for moving the finishingmaterial in said abrading chamber for finishing of 'a part therein, andmeans operatively connected to said housing for rotation thereof to thetransfer position and to the abrading position. p

11. A finishing machine comprising a housing mounted for rotationon asubstantially horizontal axis, an abrading chamber in said housingprovided with an opening adapted to receive finishing material and apart to be finished, a storage chamber in said housing provided with anopening adaptedto receive finishing material from said abrading chamberwhen said housing is rotated to a transfer position, a baflle interposedbetween said, abrading chamber and said storage chamber for controllingthe return of finishing material tosaid abrading chamber, said bafilebeing provided with an opening for passage of finishing material, aclosure member movably mounted over said opening in said baffle forcontrolling the return of-finishing material, vibratory means forimparting vibrations to said housing for moving the finishing materialin said abrading chamber for finishing of the part therein, and

means for rotating said housing to the transfer position and to anabrading position.

12. A finishing machine comprising a housing mounted for substantialfree movementin space and for rotation on a substantially horizontalaxis, an abrading chamber in said housing provided with an openingadapted to receive finishing material, a storage chamber in said housingprovided with an opening adapted to receive finishing material from saidabrading chamber when said housing is rotated to a transfer position, abaffle interposed between said abrading chamber and said storage chamberfor controlling the return of finishing material to said abradingchamber when said housing is rotated to an abrading position, saidbafiie being provided with an opening for passage offinishing material,a closure member movably mounted over said opening in said bafiie forcontrolling the return of finishing material from said storage chamberto said abrading chamber, means operatively connected to said closuremember for opening and closing said member, vibratory means forimparting alternating waves of energy to said housing for moving thefinishing materialin an orbital motion, and means for rotating saidhousing to the transfer position and to the abrading position. 7

13. A finishing machine for finishing the surfaceof an unfinished pantcomprising a frame, a housing journaled for rotation on said frame abouta substantially horizontal axis and rotatable to a transfer position andto an abrading position, an abrading chamber in said housing prowhensaid housing is rotated to the transfer position,.

' means for controlling the redeposit of finishing material from saidstorage chamber in said abrading chamber when said housing isrotatedback to the abrading position to allow replacement of the part securedto said rack without interference by finishing material, vibratory meansfor imparting alternating waves of energy to said housing for moving thefinishing material for finishing of a part mounted therein, and meansoperatively connected to said housing for rotation thereof to thetransfer position and to the abrading position.

14. In a finishing machine, the combination comprising a housing havingan abrading chamber and a storage chamber, vibratory means for impartingalternating waves of energy to said housing, and means for rotating saidhousing from an abrading position to a transfer position, theimprovement which comprises means for controlling the return offinishing material from said storage chamber to said abrading chamberwhereby the finishing material remains in static equilibrium in saidstorage chamher when said housing is rotated to the abrading positionpermitting an unfinished part to be suspended in said abrading chamberWithout interference by finishing material therein.

15. A finishing machine for finishing the surface of an unfinished partcomprising a housing mounted for substantial free movement in space andprovided with an abrading chamber and a storage chamber, vibratory meansfor imparting alternating Waves of energy to said housing for movingfinishing material therein for finishing 'in from the abrading chamberto the storage chamber,

said storage chamber including a wall, the coefiicient of frictionbetween the wall and finishing material being sufficient to maintain thefinishing material in static equilibrium in said storage chamber whenthe housing is rotated back to the abrading position, and vibratorymeans for imparting alternating waves of energy to said housing forshaking the finishing material into the abrading chamber after anunfinished part is suspended therein.

17. A finishing machine as claimed in claim 16 including means on thesurface of said wall of said storage chamber for increasing theeoefficient of friction betwee the saidwall of said storage chamber andsaid finishing material.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,739,427 Ransohofi Mar. 27, 1956 2,933,8 6i Bintzler Apr. 26, 19602,973,606 Brandt Mar. 7, 1961 Brandt Aug. 29, 1961

1. A FINISHING MACHINE FOR FINISHING THE SURFACE OF UNFINISHED PARTSCOMPRISING AN ABRADING CHAMBER PROVIDED WITH AN OPENING ADAPTED TORECEIVE FINISHING MATERIAL AND UNFINISHED PARTS, A STORAGE CHAMBERSECURED TO SAID ABRADING CHAMBER AND PROVIDED WITH AN OPENING FORRECEIVING FINISHING MATERIAL FROM SAID ABRADING CHAMBER, SAID STORAGECHAMBER INCLUDING A REAR WALL UPWARDLY INCLINED WITH RESPECT TO AHORIZONTAL PLANE AT AN ANGLE BETWEEN ZERO AND FORTY-FIVE DEGREES BUT NOTGREATER THAN AN ANGLE OF REPOSE FOR MAINTAINING STATIC EQUILIBRIUM OFFINISHING MATERIAL THEREIN WHEN SAID ABRADING CHAMBER IS IN AN ABRADINGPOSITION, VIBRATORY MEANS FOR IMPARTING A VIBRATORY MOTION TO SAIDSTORAGE CHAMBER